University of Kent

Location: Medway/Canterbury

Background

Since 2012, The Kings Ferry depot has effectively managed the operation of university shuttles, catering to approximately 45,000 passengers annually. The University of Kent collaborates with The Coach Travel Group to provide a complimentary coach service connecting its Medway and Canterbury campuses. 

This service operates exclusively during term time, seven days a week, with each journey lasting around 50 minutes. Accessible solely to University of Kent students and staff, it serves as a vital link between campuses.

The challenge

The University of Kent sought a reliable shuttle service to ferry students between its Canterbury and Medway campuses for lectures and activities. With numerous students residing in Medway accommodation, situated across the campus and nearby areas, facilitating their transportation to Canterbury became imperative. Operating from Monday to Sunday, the service operated hourly from 07:35 to 00:00 on weekdays, and every two hours from 09:00 to 02:00 on Saturdays and 09:00 to 00:00 on Sundays. This necessitates 29 transfers on weekdays, 18 on Saturdays, and 16 on Sundays.

The response

Maintaining seamless communication between the Account Manager and the University's Head of Traffic Management & Travel, Security & Transport Centre and Estates Department is paramount. This ensures prompt resolution of any service delays or issues. Additionally, we introduced a ticket booking system for students, allowing them to reserve their seats in advance, guaranteeing timely arrival for lectures. Moreover, this system provides valuable Management Information (MI) data to the University, offering insights into passenger numbers, and instances of students unable to board due to lack of pre-booking.

Collaborating with our operations team, we meticulously assessed campus and accommodation locations to identify optimal shuttle stops along the route. This strategic placement enhanced convenience and efficiency for students, streamlining their commute between campuses.

By adopting these measures, we not only met the University's transportation needs but also enhanced the overall experience for students and staff alike, ensuring timely and reliable access to educational resources across campuses.